Handle



May l1, 1943. w. c. STANLEY HANDLE Filed Oct. 25, 1941 www Patented May 1l, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HANDLE William C. Stanley, Portland, Oreg.

Application October 25, 1941, Serial No. 416,517

i Claims.

This invention relates generally to handles and particularly to a means for fastening a handle to a tool.

The main object of this invention is to provide a convenient, inexpensive, and positive means for attaching a handle to a tool, such as a mallet, hammer, ax, or other striking or cutting implement.

The second object of this invention is to construct a fastening device for handles in which the hand engaging end of the handle is larger than the smallest portion of the hole through which the handle is inserted.

I accomplish these and other objects in the manner set forth in the following specification, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a section taken through a mallet head along the line I-I in Fig. 3, showing the handle end fastener in side elevation and showing the handle secured to the mallet.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing the preliminary position for attaching the handle, with the mallet head in position for inserting or withdrawing the fastener.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the fastening element.

Similar numerals refer to throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawing there is shown, for example only, a mallet head I having a tapering hole II formed therein, adapted to receive the tapering handle end I2 which extends from the shank I3 of the enlarged handle I4. The handle may be round, oval, or any other desired shape without departing from the spirit of the invention. The portion I2 may also be of any desired shape, but it is preferably rectangular, or substantially so.

The portion I2 of the handle Ill is provided with a wedge shaped slot I across its end I6 having the enlarged circular portion I'I adapted to receive the circular point I8 of the wedge shaped element I9 adapted to be inserted into the slot I5 laterally.

It will be understood that the end I6 is sufliciently flexible to permit it to be inserted into the small end 20 of the tapering hole II for the purpose of inserting or withdrawing the handle from the member I0.

similar parts The application of the handle I4 to the head I 0 is as follows:

With the wedge shaped element I9 removed, the ends I6 are inserted through the opening 25J until they reach the position shown in Fig. 2. That is, with the slot I5 fully exposed from the hammer end 2|. The element I9 is now inserted laterally and the entire handle I4 is driven to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Since the member I9 cannot be withdrawn on account of its enlarged head I 8, and since the ends I6 cannot be compressed or collapsed due to the presence of the member I9, it follows that the head II) cannot escape from the handle portion I2.

Obviously, the member I9 can be made of any suitable material such as plastic or metal. It is also obvious that the taper of the member I9 is of minor importance. In some instances it may be omitted partially or entirely. It is important, however, that the end I8 be enlarged to prevent the withdrawal of the member I9.

I am aware that numerous forms of handle fastening devices have been made in the past, including wedges having barbed or toothed sides, and kindred other devices. I therefore, do not intend to cover handle fastening devices broadly, but I do intend to cover all such forms and modifications thereof as fall fairly within the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A handle having its tool supporting end tapering with its wider end outermost and having a wedge shaped slot formed across said end with its point innermost, the point of said wedge shaped slot terminating in an enlarged recess, the sides of the tapering handle end being iieXible enabling same to pass through the narrow end of a tool socket, and a filler for said wedge shaped slot and its enlarged re'cess adapted to be inserted readily when the handle is in an unfiexed position.

2. A handle having an enlarged hand engaging portion, a tapering tool supporting end having reduced intermediate portion, the tapering end having its larger portion outermost, said tapering end having a wedge shaped slot formed therein with its point innermost, the side portions merging with the widest portion of said tool engaging end, said wedge shaped slot having an enlarged cylindrical recess at its pointed end, and a filler for said slot and its cylindrical recess, the distance from said recess to the nearest portion of said enlarged hand engaging portion being more 10 of the handle.

socket consisting of an elongated wooden handle having reduced intermediate portion and having one end tapering with its wider portion outermost, said wider portion consisting of two pointed flexible arms having a ller for the space between same, and having means for holding said iiller in position longitudinally and permitting its insertion or Withdrawal readily when the tool is moved to a position along the reduced portion WILLIAM C. STANLEY. 

